Starting Elevation 4,200'
Castle Rock 6,620'
Plug Peak 4,625'
I've looked everywhere for some information about Castle Rock,
the tallest peak on Stansbury Island (6,620'), but there seemed
to be nothing available. So I just made my own maps and headed
out to ol' Stansbury Island to bag the high point and get
some pictures of Antelope Island and the surrounding areas
at sunset. I thought the east side of the island would make
the best approach, but it was gated, so we tried plan B from
the west side, but then saw that it was gated as well. At
this point, I started feeling like the area was being surveiled
by some cackling Dr. Evil, hidden in some underground bunker
somewhere. Enjoying our tribulations.
After talking to some Mexicans that were going in and out
of the gate, I scrapped the plan of getting to the high point,
and just decided to go to the highest point I could find without
trespassing. We just followed a ridge up to the spine of the
island. From there the views were outstanding. The only real
difference between the views we had and the views we would
have had, was the view of Lone Peak to the southeast, and
whatever was north of us.
The hike was pretty difficult, even though it was probably
less than 2 miles each way. You might not want to try this
unless you are confident with hikes that require hands most
of the time. Going down was even more difficult and dangerous,
this had to have been one of the worst cases of rock slide
potential that I've hiked on. It also stunk like hell, I guess
years of pumping pioneer poop into the lake has it's consequences.
As nightfall fell over us, we saw a car waiting by the gate
for an exaggerant amount of time. I kept picturing a couple
of pipe swinging goons below, waiting to work us over for
thinking that we could just drive up and hike on Stansbury
Island without their bosses permission. But they were just
waiting for someone to let them in.
To get there: Take I-15 going west toward Wendover, get off
at exit 84 and follow the signs to Stansbury Island.
From I-15 looking west toward Stansbury Island. We hiked the square
peak on the left.
Castle Rock is the highest point.
Driving north toward Stansbury Island.
The white sand on either side of the road is salt.
The high point you can see from here is the peak we climbed.
From here you can see most of the Stansbury Island Bike Trail which
starts on the left.
I think you can drive up to the ridge by where we were from this road.
The point in the middle is where we ended up.
This cuts right in the middle of the bike trail.
This is the peak we climbed, most of the route we took is visible
from here.
From the beginning of the slabs section looking west.
Notice how we are following the line, on the other side is trespassing.
Flat Top Mountain (10,620') and Lewiston Peak (10,411) in the Oquirrh
Range.
In the foreground is Sharp Mountain. Below is Tooele.
Looking south to the Morton Salt Factory.
Most of the Oquirrh Mountain Range.
Looking west over the Lakeside Mountains.
In the far right you can see a Magcorp smokestack pumping "something"
into the air
that drifts all the way down the mountain range.
Below is Stansbury Basin which is almost dry from this years drought.
Looking south to Deseret
Peak (left peak) the highest in the Stansbury Range.
Looking west to a huge pile of salt.
Looking west over the solar evaporators used to extract salt from
the lake.
Looking west. Look at the smoke that has drifted over the range
from the smokestack to the north.
MagCorp is one of the biggest pollutors in America.
Looking west over the salt solar evaporators.
Looking southwest over the evaporators.
On the left is the end of the Stansbury Mountain Range.
Some people say that Stansbury Island is a continuation of the Stansbury
Mountain Range.
It's not.
The sun needs to hit the clouds at just the right angle to create
a blood red sky.
Looking northwest over Stansbury Basin as the sunlight fades away.
Cloud wisps of death, floating like a spidery blanket over the Lakeside
Mountains.
There's rumors that when birds fly into this, they drop dead.
For some shots from a small plane of this island: http://www.geology.wisc.edu/~maher/air/air05.htm
There is a mistake on the image:
"124-31: Stansbury Island on southwest side of Great Salt Lake,
UT."
The Oquirrh Mountains are in the background.
Thanks for the info on the island and the gate situation. I had been there years before, but couldn't get too far because of the gate. Now that it is open I think I will be going camping.
Jeff
SLC, UT
2006-10-20
Dale, as usual you have done an excellent job showcasing another one Utah's rugged beauties. I reference your site quite a bit in my own quest for places to explore and photograph. (See my Utah webpages at www.clayhaus.net/utah.html)I plan to head to Stansbury Island this weekend for hiking and photographing and your site has once again provided me with valuble information via its imgaes and words. Much appreciated!
Michelle
Salt Lake City, UT
2006-04-13
Hey, nice site. I was just bummin' around looking for some info on Stansbury Island. I had been hiking out there as a kid and my beau and I were thinking of heading out that way after work tomorrow. Thanks for all the info. Lovely pictures
Transcript-Bu lletin
Tooele, UT
2006-03-22
It looks like the main gate will stay open so that everyone can go see these views for themselves.
www.tooeletranscript.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1150 5&Itemid=2
Transcript-Bu lletin
Tooele, UT
2006-03-22
It looks like the main gate will stay open so that everyone can go see these views for themselves.
www.tooeletranscript.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1150 5&Itemid=2
John H. (Hank) Stansbury
Brooksville, FL
2006-03-09
The pictures are fantastic. I have nevervisited my namesake area but had planned to - even more so now!
Murdok Hyde
Pittsburgh,Pa
2006-01-07
WoW.. I just want to say.. That I am planning on moving to SLC area.. These are the most beautiful pictures I have ever seen.. I cannot wait to get out there.. I might even start to take up hiking or mountain climbing.. I never knew how amazing it would be .. I could only imagine what it would be like to the naked eye.. If anyone feels like they have the time to maybe e-mail and give me some tips on mountain climbing I would be very Thankful
Bambie
Midvale, UT
2005-12-18
The pictures are so perfect. My husband and I spent many, many night out here and we call it our sacred island. I even have a poem about it on my web page.
Thanks for shariang.
My husband passed away recently and your pictures brought me a lot of joy.
Bill Jones
Tooele, UT
2005-09-23
There aren't many deer out there this year. I hiked to the top of Plug Peak and didn't see any deer. They must have left because of the drought.
Bill Jones
Tooele, UT
2005-09-23
There aren't many deer out there this year. I hiked to the top of Plug Peak and didn't see any deer. They must have left because of the drought.
Dan Davidson
Draper Utah
2005-09-10
Did you see any mule deer bucks out there?? I have always wanted to photo them, but have not had the time to find them
Crystal Zimmerman
Tooele, UT
2005-04-26
Wow, I've missed this place. I saw this page at work and got all excited I told every one to come see where I am from. Being in the millitary you see alot of places, but to me nothing compares to Utah's high mountains. Once again thank you for bringing home to me.
John Wilson
Tooele, UT
2004-03-31
I was wondering who gated off that area, when I was youngerm, we used to hike around in that area all the time.
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